Entries tagged with japan!

Yesterday, Tom came home and told me that the computer system for outprocessing to new assignments is down until early April for previously-scheduled maintenance and software upgrades/changeovers.

EFMP's system is still up and running, so we're forging ahead on that side.

Today, he forwards me an email he received in response to his inquiry of the Misawa school's special ed department. It was from no less a personage than the Pacific Area Special Education specialist, who is also the coordinator for the DoDEA Exceptional Family Member Program Educational Screenings for the Pacific region.

She informed Tom that Misawa has only minimal services designed for mild to moderate special needs students, and the OCONUS Directory of schools specifically states that Misawa is not staffed or resourced for children with autism. (This matches what I'd already seen on the DoDEA websites.)Further, there are *no* locations in PACAF that can ensure ABA therapy services through the DoDEA schools or through local community services.

She recommended strongly we act through our local EFMP for possible options.

So it looks like EFMP will declare Misawa a no-go; after that, when they go through the obligatory submission of our needs to five other PACAF bases, those will also be declared a no-go; and then they'll have to figure out what to do with Tom next.

My money's on a two-year unaccompanied remote to Misawa, with me and the Zodlings staying here. :(

Getting PCSed to another CONUS base while Tom's gone, to wait for him to return, is also a strong possibility. :(

The one base in Japan whose school does NOT have an autism program in their special ed dept.

We can fight it based on the boys' EFMP status, but Tom's been informed if we win, he'll get sent on the next remote that opens up - which won't be Korea, as they are full ass UP in his career field at present. Which means instead he'll get sent to Misawa ALONE, for TWO years.

Or, we may just decide 'bugger all this' and he won't re-enlist. His current tour of duty is up in December.

I have no words.

All I can do is find our copies of their IEPS and Jack's EFMP paperwork, so Tom can use them to fight this assignment.